"Here we are! Down here! A--a lion tackled us,
awhile back. But we licked him;--I and Laddie!"
CHAPTER VII. The Juggernaut
Long shadows were stretching lazily athwart the lawn from the
gnarled old giant trees. Over the whole drowsing world brooded
the solemn hush of late summer afternoon.
An amber light hung in the sleepy air; touching with gold the
fire-blue lake, the circle of lovingly protecting green hills;
the emerald slope which billowed up from the water-edge to the
red-roofed gray house in its setting of ancient oaks.
On the bare flooring, in the coolest corner of the veranda, two
collies lay sprawled. They were fast asleep; which means that
they were ready to come back to complete wakefulness at the first
untoward sound.
Of the two slumbrous collies, one was slenderly graceful of
outline; gold-and-white of hue. She was Lady; imperious and
temperamental wisp of thoroughbred caninity.
The second dog had been crowded out of the shadiest spot of the
veranda, by his mate; so that a part of his burnished mahogany
coat was under the direct glare of the afternoon sun.
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